Amyrlin Seat
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The Amyrlin Seat is the leader of the Aes Sedai in Tar Valon. Her full title is "Watcher of the Seals. The Flame of Tar Valon. The Amyrlin Seat", but usually is just referred to as the Amyrlin. She is chosen by the Hall of the Tower for life, and forsakes her former Ajah to be seen as "from all Ajahs and yet of none", symbolized by her stole striped with all seven Ajah colors. The position can only be held by female channelers, and presumably only one who belongs to the White Tower. Interestingly, Tower law considers the Amyrlin Seat to be Aes Sedai after having been raised, but does not require it as a prerequisite for raising.
The Amyrlin is the supreme authority among the Aes Sedai, who formally refer to her as "Mother" and she to them as "Daughter" or "Child". She is widely recognized as one of the most powerful women in Randland, though she can be deposed for malfeasance by the Sitters of the Hall. This is referred to as being "stripped of stole and staff" and has only happened four times in recorded history. The Amyrlin is assisted in her duties by the Keeper of the Chronicles, who is second in command and traditionally sits in on most audiences.
The title Watcher of the Seals means holder and protector of the seven seals on the Dark One's prison. A secret kept from the rest of the world is that no Amyrlin Seat had known where any of the seals were since the Trolloc Wars.[1]
The physical chair from which the Amyrlin rules over the Hall is also refered to as the Amyrlin Seat.
Any visitor to the White Tower may demand to speak to the Amyrlin Seat, but few have the nerve to do so.
[edit] Notable Amyrlins
- Elisane Tishar: the first Amyrlin Seat, raised in 98 AB. Credited with organising and allying several diverse factions to form the modern Aes Sedai, and beginning the construction of Tar Valon.
- Tetsuan: Raised from the Red Ajah. Served circa 1200 AB. Stripped of her rank for betraying Manetheren because of her jealousy of Ellisande's power.
- Rashima Kerenmosa: Raised from the Green Ajah. Served 1251-1301 AB. The 'Soldier Amyrlin', who served as a field general in the Trolloc Wars. She is credited with orchestrating the great victory at Maighande that turned the tide in the wars.
- Bonwhin Meraighdin: Raised from the Red Ajah. Served FY 939-992. Stripped of the staff and shawl for manipulating Artur Hawkwing, provoking him into besieging Tar Valon itself.
- Deane Aryman: Raised from the Blue Ajah. Served FY 992-1084. Restored the power of the Aes Sedai following Bonwhin's mistakes. Encouraged Ishara Casalain to found the kingdom of Andor and negotiated an end to the Siege of Tar Valon with General Souran Maravaile. Was on the verge of negotiating an end to the War of the Hundred Years when she died in a riding accident.
- Tamra Ospenya: Raised from the Blue Ajah. Served 973-979 NE. Her Keeper was Gitara Moroso. Amyrlin during the Aiel War and the birth of the Dragon Reborn. Murdered by Jarna Malari, head of the Black Ajah.
- Siuan Sanche: Raised from the Blue Ajah. Served 988-999 NE. Stripped and stilled along with her Keeper Leane Sharif for keeping secret the existence of the Dragon Reborn from the Hall of the Tower. Her trial was not carried out in strict accordance with Tower law, leading to a split in the Tower.
- Elaida a'Roihan: Raised from the Red Ajah. Served 999 NE to the present, but only acknowledged as the Amyrlin by roughly one-third of the Aes Sedai. She carries credence as she rules from the White Tower in Tar Valon. Wears a six-striped stole, with no representation of the Blue Ajah. Her initial Keeper of the Chronicles was Alviarin Freidhen, but Elaida removed her for dereliction of duty and replaced her with Tarna Feir.
- Egwene al'Vere: Raised directly from Accepted, fulfilling the letter if not the spirit of Tower law. Served 999 NE to the present, but only acknowledged as the Amyrlin by roughly one-third of the Aes Sedai. She was raised by the "Tower in Exile" in Salidar; initially raised to be a puppet, but has consolidated power for herself with Siuan's help, among others. Her Keeper of the Chronicles is Sheriam Bayanar.
| Spoilers: Information ahead comes from The Gathering Storm; please be careful if you have not read that book yet! |
|---|
| Elaida was made a damane during the Seanchan assault on the White Tower. The Hall loyal to her, uncertain of her status, declared her dead or unable to serve and offered Egwene the Amyrlin Seat on her proposed terms: acceptance of her army into the city, welcoming back rebel sisters, and restoration of the Blue Ajah. Egwene accepted and was raised again, and again without any Red Ajah Sitters: this time because all three were out of the Tower. Because Sheriam was executed for being a member of the Black Ajah, Egwene chose Silviana Brehon of the Red Ajah as Keeper of the Chronicles. |
[edit] List of Amyrlins
- from FY 939 (approximately) to 999 NE
Some dates are followed by a question mark as dates from the War of the Hundred years are sketchy at best.
| Name | Ajah | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Bonwhin Meraighdin | Red | FY 939? – FY 992 |
| Deane Aryman | Blue | FY 992 – FY 1084 |
| Selame Necoine | Green | FY 1084 – 5 NE |
| Rabayn Marushta | White | 5 – 36 NE |
| Dalaine Ndaye | Gray | 36 – 64 NE |
| Edarna Noregovna | Blue | 64 – 115 NE |
| Balladare Arandaille | Brown | 115 – 142 NE |
| Medanor Eramandos | Gray | 142 – 171 NE |
| Kiyosa Natomo | Green | 171 – 197 NE |
| Catala Lucanvalle | Yellow | 197 – 223 NE |
| Elise Strang | Gray | 223 – 244 NE |
| Comarra Zepava | Blue | 244 – 276 NE |
| Serenia Latar | Gray | 276 – 306 NE |
| Doniella Alievin | Brown | 306 – 332 NE |
| Aliane Senican | White | 332 – 355 NE |
| Suilin Escanda | Blue | 355 – 396 NE |
| Nirelle Coidevwin | Green | 396 – 419 NE |
| Ishara Nawan | Blue | 419 – 454 NE |
| Cerilla Marodred | Gray | 454 – 476 NE |
| Igaine Luin | Brown | 476 – 520 NE |
| Beryl Marle | White | 520 – 533 NE |
| Eldaya Tolen | Blue | 533 – 549 NE |
| Alvera Ramosanya | Yellow | 549 – 578 NE |
| Sherin Chunla | Green | 578 – 601 NE |
| Gerra Kishar | Gray | 601 – 638 NE |
| Varuna Morrigan | Green | 638 – 681 NE |
| Cemaile Sorenthaine | Gray | 681 – 705 NE |
| Marasale Jureen | Yellow | 705 – 732 NE |
| Feragaine Saralamn | Blue | 732 – 754 NE |
| Myriam Copan | Green | 754 – 797 NE |
| Zeranda Tyrim | Brown | 797 – 817 NE |
| Parenia Demalle | Gray | 817 – 866 NE |
| Sereille Bagand | White | 866 – 890 NE |
| Aleis Romlin | Green | 890 – 922 NE |
| Kirin Melway | Brown | 922 – 950 NE |
| Noane Masadim | Blue | 950 – 973 NE |
| Tamra Ospenya | Blue | 973 – 979 NE |
| Sierin Vayu | Gray | 979 – 984 NE |
| Marith Jaen | Blue | 984 – 988 NE |
| Siuan Sanche | Blue | 988 – 999 NE |
| Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan | Red | 999 NE – present |
| Egwene al'Vere | None | 999 NE – present |
